Sharda Cropchem Limited (NSE:SHARDACROP)
India flag India · Delayed Price · Currency is INR
1,126.00
-6.20 (-0.55%)
May 8, 2026, 3:29 PM IST
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Q2 22/23

Oct 21, 2022

Moderator

Ladies and gentlemen, good day, and welcome to Sharda Cropchem Q2 FY 2023 Earnings Conference Call hosted by Antique Stock Broking. As a reminder, all participant lines will be in the listen-only mode, and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions after the presentation concludes. Should you need assistance during the conference call, please signal an operator by pressing star then zero on your touchtone phone. Please note, that this conference is being recorded. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Manish Mahawar from Antique Stock Broking. Thank you, and over to you, sir.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Thank you, Lisa. On behalf of Antique Stock Broking, I would like to welcome all the participants on the call of Sharda Cropchem. From the management, we have Mr. R. V. Bubna, Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. Ashok Vashisht, CFO, and Mr. Dinesh Mehar, GM Finance on the call. Without further ado, I would like to hand over the call to Mr. Bubna for opening remark, post which we will open the floor for Q&A. Thank you. Over to you, Mr. Bubna.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Thank you, Mr. Manish. Good evening, and very warm welcome to everyone present here on the call. I hope all of you are keeping safe and healthy during these times. Along with me, I have Mr. Ashok Vashisht, our Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Dinesh Mehar, General Manager Finance, and our Investor Relations advisors. Hope you all have received our investor deck by now. For those who have not, you can view them on stock exchanges and on the company website. We are an agrochemical company with a good position in the generic crop protection industry. We are engaged in the process of marketing and distribution by procuring wide spectrum of formulations and generic active ingredients, fungicides, herbicides and insecticides across the globe. Extending this rich experience, we have also entered into biocide segment to cater disinfectants market.

Leveraging our experience and product registrations capabilities, we have carved out a niche for ourselves and built a robust core and identifying generic molecules, preparing dossiers, seeking registrations, marketing and distribution. The company continues to identify opportunities in the generic molecules and corresponding formulations and generic active ingredients, preparing dossiers, seeking registrations in the relevant jurisdictions. Sharda Cropchem's total product registration stood at about 2,750 as on September 2022. Additionally, 1,120 applications for the product registrations globally are at different stages of approval. The CapEx for H1 2023 stood at INR 230 crore. Every jurisdiction has different legal and procedural requirements for seeking registrations. With its rich experience, the company has successfully obtained the necessary regulatory approvals from these jurisdictions.

The company is well equipped to respond to the potential issues such as well as has the readiness to efficiently respond and comply with the regulatory requirements. We maintain healthy relationships with multiple manufacturers in the agrochemical industry, mainly in China and India. Sourcing from multiple manufacturers, helping the company in getting quality products at optimal price, and thereby de-risking its sourcing capabilities. Over the years, we have built a strong brand franchise within our global markets. We are benefiting through the economies of scale in our portfolio and leveraging value of our supply chain to deliver value to our customers across the globe. For Q2 2023, revenues grew by 12% to INR 722 crores. For H1 FY 2023, the revenues grew by 22% to INR 1,546 crores.

Growth was led by better product mix and price realizations. Gross margins have been impacted by weakening euro against dollar as well as Indian rupee, leading to increased input costs and impact of general inflation across the geography. Major currencies have depreciated against the U.S. dollar in the last six months due to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. Over 45% of H1 FY 2023 sales from agrochemical business have been in Europe, whereas majority of the company's raw material is imported from China and payments are done in U.S. dollars. This has impacted the company's gross margins overall profitability temporarily, as the euro has considerably depreciated against the dollar. We are now taking certain measures to reduce the adverse impact of Forex. We have increased our sales focus on NAFTA region. We have begun sourcing in euro currency.

We are optimally hedging our currencies, and we are seeking price increase from customers to negate this Forex impact. We have accelerated focus on revenue-generating investments, and are continuously looking to improve on operational efficiencies, which will help us improve margins. Our incessant efforts to explore newer markets and geographies while penetrating deeper into our existing ones is aligned to our endeavor of serving customers globally. We consistently strive to emerge higher on the global scale and our approach to think global, act global, as we continue to navigate any challenges. Further, our asset-light business model enables us to expand the number of products across our entire spectrum of product offerings. Our focus on diversifying our product portfolios, widening global reach, build supply chain capability, and strengthening our distribution network enables us to enhance our performance year after year.

Moreover, through our expertise, disciplined approach, experience, and commitment to create value for our share, shareholders, we are exploring better opportunities, emerging as a prominent global brand and enhancing our overall business performance consistently. With this brief overview, I would now like to hand over the call to our CFO, Mr. Ashok Vashisht, for discussing our financial performance. Thank you.

Ashok Vashisht
CFO, Sharda Cropchem

Thank you, sir. Good evening, everyone. Coming to Q2 FY 2023 financial performance, revenue stood at INR 722 crore versus INR 643 crore in Q2 FY 2022, registering a growth of 12% year-on-year. Revenue growth was led by better product mix and better prioritization during the quarter. The company is focusing on value-based growth. Gross margin for Q2 FY 2023 stood at 23% against 28% in Q2 FY 2022. The margins are slightly lower than Q2 FY 2022, but better than Q1 FY 2023, where it was 25.4%. EBITDA for Q2 has grown by 3% to INR 107 crore, whereas there's a marginal decline in percentage EBITDA to 14.8%.

This was mainly due to lower gross margins driven by weakening of euro against dollar, U.S. dollar as well as Indian rupees. Additionally, general inflation and strengthening of global workforce to support the future growth has also marginally impacted the EBITDA. PAT for the quarter Q2 FY 2023 stood at INR 12 crores against INR 32 crores Q2 FY 2022. PAT was impacted by higher FX losses to the tune of INR 38.7 crores Q2 FY 2023, mainly driven by weakening of euro against dollar and Indian rupee. If we exclude Forex loss for the quarter, PAT has actually grown by 12%, due to favorable product mix and better operational efficiencies. Coming to the split of agrochemical business, it grew by 14% year-on-year basis to INR 576 crores. Non-agro grew by 4% year-on-year basis to INR 146 crores.

In the agrochemical space, Europe grew by 11%, NAFTA grew by 28%, and LatAm grew by 10%, and rest of the world grew by 18%. Europe continue to, you know, contribute highest in terms of contribution to the total agro business at 41%. NAFTA 40%, LatAm 11%, and rest of the world 8% of the agrochemical business for Q2 FY 2023. In non-agrochemical space, Europe grew by 22%, NAFTA grew by 19%, LatAm grew by 26%, and rest of the world grew marginally by 1%. Europe contributes 22%, NAFTA 57%, LatAm 7%, and rest of the world 14% of the non-agro business for Q2 FY 2023. Now coming to half year performance for H1 FY 2023.

Revenue stood at INR 1,546 crore against INR 1,265 crore in H1 FY 2022, registering a high double digit growth of 22% on year-on-year basis. Our revenue growth was led by better product mix and better price realization. Gross margin for H1 FY 2023 stood at 26.3% as against 28.6% in H1 FY 2022. Since there was an increase in margins in Q2 over Q1 in FY 2023, the gap for the six months is narrowed down. EBITDA has grown by 4% to INR 218 crore, whereas there is a marginal decline in percentage EBITDA margin to 14.1%.

This was essentially due to gross margin driven by weakening of euro against dollar as well as Indian rupee general inflation and strengthening of our global Forex to support future growth. PAT stood at INR 35 crore in H1 FY 2023 against INR 70 crore in H1 FY 2022. PAT was impacted by Forex losses to the tune of INR 81.9 crore in H1 FY 2023. Excluding Forex losses, PAT has actually grown by 62% due to better product mix as well as better operational efficiencies. Coming to the split in agrochemical business, grew by 15% on year-on-year basis to INR 1,119 crore, whereas non-agro business grew by 56% year-on-year basis to INR 356 crore.

In the agrochemical space, Europe grew by 18%, NAFTA region grew by 19%, LatAm degrew by 6%, and rest of the world grew by 18%. In terms of contribution, Europe contributes 46% for the first half over the year FY 2023, NAFTA 36%, LatAm 12%, and rest of the world, ROW, 6% of the agrochemical business. In the non-agrochemical space, Europe grew by 39%, NAFTA grew by 82%, LatAm 81%, and rest of the world 7%. In non-agro business, in terms of contribution, Europe contributes 26%, NAFTA 56%, LatAm 6%, and ROW 12%. Now coming to working capital efficiencies. As on 30th September 2022, in terms of number of days, it stood at 91 days. We are a net cash company.

Our total debt as on 30th September 2022 stood at INR 17 crore. Our cash and cash equivalents as at 30th September 2022 stood at INR 283 crores. With this financial overview, we can now open the floor for questions. Thank you.

Moderator

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, we will now begin with the question and answer session. Anyone wishing to ask a question may please press star and one on your touchtone telephone. If you wish to remove yourself from the question queue, you may press star and two. Participants, I request that you use hands-free while asking a question. Ladies and gentlemen, we will wait for a moment while the question queue assembles. The first question is from the line of Sameer Deshpande from FairDeal Investments. Please go ahead.

Sameer Deshpande
Analyst, FairDeal Investments

Good evening, sir. After looking at the Q2 results, the problem of euro depreciation continues because we have INR 1,139 crores of loss in forex of this year, quarter two. Along with INR 42 crores was spent in the Q1. Now you have mentioned that, you have taken certain measures like price increase or, that is, regarding this, sourcing in Europe versus the dollar which we were doing earlier. How far we have been successful in these two initiatives in the Q2 or, and how much percentage of our sourcing will happen going forward in Europe?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

See the percentage of, I mean, the task is not so easy.

Sameer Deshpande
Analyst, FairDeal Investments

Yeah.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

The seller is also very much aware that euro is likely to strengthen once again. He wants to also take very cautious steps. He's not giving us a fair exchange rate conversions. We are making efforts, but the task is equally difficult.

Sameer Deshpande
Analyst, FairDeal Investments

Actually, as the situation deteriorated after Q1 on 30th June, I think the euro was quite favorable. After that, in September, it is now 0.98 or so. At the current provision which we have made of INR 39 crores loss, now we have receivables to the tune of around INR 1,000 crores and payables, trade payables are around INR 1,135 crores. Have you taken the full impact on the receivables and payables also at this point, at the current euro rate?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes, please.

Sameer Deshpande
Analyst, FairDeal Investments

Going forward, the scenario currently is 0.978 or something, the euro to the dollar. If the situation goes down further, then only we'll be facing problems. Have you done some hedging also?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

So the options for hedging are also very limited because everybody is in two minds. There are some opinions which say that euro is going to start strengthening from here, and there are other opinions which will say that it all depends upon the Ukraine-Russia war. The views are not very clear. Wherever we see some light, we try to pursue that path, and we are always vigilant to hedge as and when we get some chances.

Sameer Deshpande
Analyst, FairDeal Investments

Have you been successful in taking some price increases also?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes, to some extent, yes.

Sameer Deshpande
Analyst, FairDeal Investments

Okay. Thank you, and all the best.

Moderator

Thank you. A reminder to the participants, anyone wishing to ask a question may please press star and one. The next question is from the line of Sonal from Crescent Capital. Please go ahead.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Hi, am I audible?

Moderator

Yes.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes.

Moderator

Please go ahead.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Sure. My question is a follow-on to the gentleman who was in the queue before me. If I were to just take some numbers, roughly 50% of your sales is to the European region. If I were to just quantify, assuming 50% of your raw material is being procured for Europe as we speak, right? Assuming similar margins, what part of this has been converted from US dollar to euro? If I were to just understand, if you could just give a ballpark just to understand how far are we?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Sir, your question is not very clear.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

I'm sorry.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Can you speak little louder and slower?

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Sure. Sir, is my voice more audible now?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Now your voice is more audible, but then some of the words are getting mixed up.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Okay, I'll speak slower. I am thinking, roughly 50% of your sales is to the European region. Now, I wanted to understand that, the raw material which is sourced for the European region, what part of that raw material is now getting procured in euro. That there is no currency.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Very small part. It could be 5%-7%.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Okay. Sir, for the remaining year, basically, if you were to make sales to this particular region, are there any contractual changes you have done to sales or this is largely spot sales that you either can sell or you cannot sell? Just want to understand your obligation for the remaining year for the European region. Just to understand that, sir.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

See, as I've explained in our previous meetings also, we do not have a long-term contract with any customer or any supplier. The businesses are negotiated from purchase order to purchase order.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Even in the same season.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Mm-hmm.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

We are very flexible and nimble-footed as far as we don't have very long-term obligation either to our customers nor to our suppliers.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Got it. Just to understand, sir, how easy or difficult is it for us to redirect the sales from the European region to the NAFTA region, given that there are different dynamics, different competition? Just want to understand that. If you could explain that a little more, that will help.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Well, we have been successful in the last quarter, and our efforts are going on. We are having a better access and deeper penetration into the NAFTA markets. The customers are appreciating our products' quality and service. We hope to make some progress in that direction.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Okay, sir. Sir, any broader guidance can you give for your sales and maybe the Forex basically, just trying to understand because I factor this in the gross margin basically. Can we assume that our gross margins will be squeezed by a similar amount? For example, if I were to just take H1, sir, our gross profit was roughly INR 400 crores and we lost roughly INR 100 crores in currency depreciation, INR 80 crores in currency depreciation. Basically we are losing roughly 5% odd. Can we just assume that for the balance of the year the gross margins would be in the range of 20%? Because.

Is it difficult for you to pinpoint?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Our gross margin should be in the range of 28%-30%, or I would say 26%-30%.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Okay, sir. All right. That's it from my side. I'll come back in queue.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes, please.

Moderator

The next question is from the line of Rajeev Jain from NB Investments. Please go ahead.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Hello, good evening. Am I audible?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes, please.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Sir, congratulations on a good set of numbers under the challenging environment. Sir, I just want to ask you the basic information. One is regarding the registration that we have. It is there in which companies we hold all these registrations?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

What was the last part of your question?

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

In which company's name that we hold, you know, so many registrations that we have.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Which countries or companies?

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

No, I would have said, I think we have, you know, registration numbering up to, I think, some 2,600 or 2,800.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

They are in Sharda Cropchem's name or is it in the subsidiaries' name?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

It is in both. Wherever the authorities insist that they will give the registration to a local entity.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Mm-hmm.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

We form a subsidiary and we obtain the registration in the subsidiary's name, but the investment for the registrations is done from the principal company, mother company.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

The mother company is the beneficial owner. The subsidiary companies are, in majority of the cases, not even trying to bring the transactions unless again, the local rules prohibit that, we have to do the transactions through the subsidiary companies. Ultimate beneficiary is always the mother company.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

What I have understood is it is either in the name of Sharda Cropchem or wherever the, you know, the particular country demands, then only in a subsidiary, in the company subsidiary name. Is understanding this correct?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes, sir. The capital investment is only from the mother company.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Mother company.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

The route can be the subsidiary company. The beneficial owner is also the mother company.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay. Now, we have so many subsidiaries. This is basically have been created based on the demand or the requirement in each country. Is that correct?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay. Sir, my next question is, does promoters hold stake in any group companies which are in the same line of business?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

No.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Only in the Sharda. In this field, it's only in Sharda Cropchem.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay, sir. That's all, from my side. Thank you very much.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Thank you.

Moderator

Thank you. A reminder to the participants, anyone wishing to ask a question may please press star and one. The next question is from the line of Anuj Sharma from Emkay Investments. Please go ahead.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Yeah, thank you. Sir, a few questions. One is, can you just give some highlights into the demand situation in Europe?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Pardon me?

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Could you just give some thoughts or explain or some outlook on the demand situation in Europe?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

In Europe?

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Yeah, European geography. That's right.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yeah. The demand situation is normal. In fact, it has been better than the previous quarter last year, you know.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Okay. The second question is, you know, these currency upheavals would also have affected competitors and pricing. How is the pricing outlook or the cost dynamics of the competitors evolved?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Sir, everybody is in the same boat.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Right.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

The competitors don't have any special thing, and more, many of the multinationals are also slowly switching over to sourcing from China because in order to save the cost of manufacturing, which is higher in their own countries.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Right. Do you see scenarios of price increase by competitors as well? Because many times you have alluded to that, you wait for the competitors or MNC to increase their pricing for you to make a attempt. Are you seeing that already happening?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes, that is happening.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Okay. You know, what is the quantum of price rise we could see?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

What is the what?

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

What is the quantum of price rise? Yeah. Yeah.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

It is difficult to calculate in terms of percentage, but the price rise is happening. Part of the effect of the cross currency exchange rates, we have been able to pass very slowly and silently to the customers.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Okay. Sir, is there substantial manufacturing in Europe as well? Because of the energy situation, is the cost of manufacturing in Europe rising and hence our competitive advantage increasing?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

The cost of manufacturing is increasing in Europe because of the increase in the cost of energy. This is also pushing the manufacturing to be more towards China and less in Europe.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Okay. Roughly sir, what percentage of manufacturing will be coming out of Europe today?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

What percentage of manufacturing coming out of Europe? You mean, globally.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Yeah.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

I mean, overall?

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

No. Sorry. No, cured in Europe and supplies. All right.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

You know, the access to this kind of information, these are all very confidential and, nobody reveals these things.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Okay. My last question is, this currency movement, historically, if you go back, when was the last time we saw this, currency movement, the way we are seeing now for Sharda?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Again, please repeat. The question is not that clear to me.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Yeah. I'm saying that, this currency movement, if you go historically, when was the last time we saw these movements for Sharda? How did we play the game last time?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

No, I can't understand. We didn't play any game. What do you want, Anuj? Your question is not clear at all, sir. Currency movement.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

For Sharda. Currency.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

I'm saying.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

For everybody.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

No, no. I'm saying, we have

Moderator

Sharma, sir, may we request that you return to the question queue? There are participants waiting for their turn.

Anuj Sharma
Analyst, Emkay Investments

All right, madam.

Moderator

Thank you, sir. The next question is from the line of Rajeev Jain from NB Investments. Please go ahead.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Thanks for the opportunity once again. Sir, I had two questions. One, is that most of the innovator companies, they have manufacturing base in either Europe or U.S., or most of them have shifted to China.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

I won't say most of them have shifted, but some of them have shifted to China because this cost of energy is being very prohibitive in Europe. It is impacting everybody very adversely. During this, particularly because of this Russia-Ukraine war.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Otherwise, before this war, then all of them were manufacturing at Europe or U.S. only?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

No, sir. Even at that time, they were sourcing some part of their products or business from China. This is gradually happening for the last 10-15 years.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Manufacturing in China is increasing and the manufacturing in Europe and USA is decreasing. It's a continuous process.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Continuous. Okay. With your experience and being in this field for such a long time, is it possible to know how much percentage has been shifted?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

No, sir. My experience.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Why I'm.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

No, no.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay. Now, why I'm asking this question is, see, you are sourcing from China also and giving, you know, at a lesser price. If the innovator companies were to shift their entire manufacturing, you know, requirements to China, then still will you have any price difference?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Sir, I think you have not understood the word shift shifting very practically. When we say shifting, that means that they are reducing their production. The facilities factories still remain in Europe. They are reducing.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Their production in Europe, and their sourcing from China is increasing.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Correct.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Once they start sourcing from.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

They are not at the full capacity in Europe, and they are slowly because they find that sourcing from China much swifter, more convenient, and cheaper. Correct. Since they now start getting their product manufactured at lower cost, so for Sharda, the price difference, whatever was there earlier, it will keep shrinking in future? We don't see it in reality. In fact, our market share is increasing in these geographies. Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Of course, we are a very small player.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

We don't see it as any adverse impact on Sharda's business.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay. Sir, my second question is regarding this, currency fluctuation. With whatever the bad experience we had for last two quarters, in future, are we going to take any precaution in that regard?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Sir, as we evolved, I think this question is being repeated. Even the previous gentleman had asked the same thing. We are making efforts on three or four fronts.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

One is, to shift more efforts, I mean, more concentration in the NAFTA region where we-

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

We are not impacted by the current forex effect at all.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Secondly, we are trying to convince our customers in Europe that it's becoming very expensive for us, and some of the customers are understanding, realizing, and I think they also don't have much of an option but to accept our request for increase in the margins, increase in the prices.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

These are the two main factors maintaining the tier.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yeah.

Rajeev Jain
Analyst, Neuberger Berman Group

Okay. Thank you. Bye.

Moderator

Thank you. The next question is from the line of Manish Mahawar from Antique Stock Broking. Please go ahead.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Yeah. Bubna, we just needed some data points from you for the quarter. Is it possible to share the sales breakup in terms of a volume, price and currency for the quarter?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes, sir. Yes, sir. One minute. You said volume?

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Yeah, volume growth for the quarter.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

As far as the volume is concerned.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Yeah.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

There's a degrowth in the last quarter. Degrowth to the extent of about 23%.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

23%. Price and exchange. Price or product mix.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

You mean revenue?

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Yeah. Realization or product mix, it is.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Real price and product mix, there's been improvement to the extent of 34%.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Okay. Currency, sir?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

2%.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

2%. What was the number for first half?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

One minute. Which number, Mr. Mani, Manish?

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Volume, price and exchange, sir, same number for the first half. This is for second quarter you have given.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

No, I have given. This is the difference. You're asking for the H1 . Okay. First half you said.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Yeah.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Our product and price mix impact is +36%.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Volume is degrowth by 13%.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Mm-hmm.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Forex is 0.5%.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

0.5%. Okay. Sir, can it possible to share the breakup, regional volume breakup, for agrochemical business?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Europe, NAFTA, ROW, LatAm volumes, sir.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

One minute. This is the total you want or agro plus non-agro?

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

No, agrochemicals, sir. You used to give each and every quarter. Basically agrochemicals volume breakup in terms of the regional I'm talking about.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yeah. Volume in Europe is 3 million, 30 lakhs and 10,000 as against 34 million in the last quarter, last year's quarter.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

NAFTA, it is INR 19 million, INR 19 lakhs versus INR 23.5 lakhs in the previous year. LatAm it is INR 6 lakhs versus INR 14 lakhs in the previous year. Rest of the World it is INR 7.5 lakhs versus about INR 10 lakhs in the same quarter last year.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Total INR 63 lakhs versus INR 81 lakhs in the previous year.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Previous year. Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

A - 22.7%. Yes, sir.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Okay. Gross margins, sir, for regional gross margins?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes, sir. Gross margin for, agro or again overall?

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Overall, sir. You used to give overall breakup.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Gross margin in Europe is 29% versus 33% last year. NAFTA, 26% versus 28% last year. LatAm, 24% versus 15% last year. Rest of the world is 30% versus 20% last year.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Okay. Sure. That's from my side.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Overall is 27.3% versus 28% last year. It's more or less at the same level overall.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Sure, sir. That's from my side, sir. Thank you.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Thank you, Manish.

Moderator

Thank you. A reminder to the participants, anyone wishing to ask a question, may please press star and one. The next question is from the line of Sonal from Crescent. Please go ahead.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Hi there, Sonal Desai. Am I audible?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes, please.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Sir, I wanted to understand from a H1 perspective the reason for the degrowth of sales in LatAm. If you could explain that, I'm on-

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Degrowth of sales?

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Yes, sir. I'm talking about the agrochemical segment. Yes.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Sales means revenue or volume? Hello.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Can you show your slide?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes, I'm trying to.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Sir, I'm on slide number 22 of your presentation.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

That's much easier than.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Yes, sir.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

22. You said there is a degrowth from INR 150-INR 146.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Yes, sir.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

You asked me what's the question, what is the reason?

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Yes, sir. I wanted to understand why is this happening? If you could just explain this, that will help.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

This is a very small change. There can be many factors. It is not something very significant, so that we can point out and say that this has been the main factor, you know.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Okay.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

It can happen through the because of the product mix. There was one product which was doing very well in the last 12 months. One quarter it may be little less and one quarter it could be little more.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Okay. Sir, I have a second question. You just spoke to the gentleman who was on the line before me, you gave the numbers for the volume for the agrochemical business. You said that in total we sold 61 lakh on the volume front compared to 81 lakh. What is the guidance for the whole year? If you could just explain that. If you could share that.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

See, we are expecting the revenue to grow by 15%-18% and EBITDA to also grow by 15%-18%.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Okay. For all? Okay. Sir, could you explain a little bit how do you come to this math? Because for somebody who's tracking the company, basically like if I'm an outsider, I would basically like to believe that there is a volume growth, there is a realization growth, which basically adds up to 15%-18%. What is happening is there is a negative volume growth and there is a very high realization growth, which is leading to your 15%-18% guidance which you are giving. I just want to understand this that how do you come to 15%-18%. Like 15%-18% main volume growth.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

One minute.

Ashok Vashisht
CFO, Sharda Cropchem

I can only say in general that there's a better product mix. We are coming out with newer molecules in our registrations, which is giving us a better realization. The older products are becoming commodities, so they were having good volume, but the net gain was not so much. Those products are getting phased out and newer products with better margins and better prices are taking their position.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Got it, sir. Understood. These newer products, there is no. How much of, sir, commodity inflation is actually baked in the pricing of these products?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

No, I mean, I'm very sorry. Again, the question has not been very clear to me. Can you kindly repeat it once again? Hello?

Moderator

Sonal, can you repeat your question? Sonal, are you able to hear us?

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Yes, I am able to hear you. Are you able to hear me?

Moderator

Yes, sir.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

Hello? Hello, sir, am I audible?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Now you are audible.

Sonal Desai
Analyst, Crescent Capital

I was saying I understand that your product mix is improving, hence your realization mix is improving. I think the explanation was, sir, well understood. I wanted to understand that how much of the commodity price rise in the commodity are we carrying in our product mix? And do you see, let's say let's take a product X right now, sir, for example, which was also selling last year. Product X which was selling last year to product X which is selling this year, do we expect that product price and realization to come down because of the commodity prices easing off? Am I clear on that or should-

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

No, sir, I want to tell you something. When I use the word commodity, I did not mean agricultural commodities. I was trying to say that when a product becomes older, the number of resistance become more, the agrochemical product itself becomes like a commodity. When I say commodity, that means plenty of availability and lesser margins. It is not to do with the agro commodities, which is a agricultural product. Am I clear?

Moderator

Thank you, sir. Ladies and gentlemen, that was the last question. I now hand the conference over to Mr. Manish Mahawar for his closing comments.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Yeah. Thank you, Lisa. On behalf of Antique Stock Broking, I would like to thank the team of Sharda Cropchem for providing us an opportunity to host the call. Bubna, would you like to make closing comments, sir?

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Yes, just some small brief statements. I would like to thank everybody who joined us for the call. I hope that we have been able to answer all your queries. We look forward to such interactions in the future. We hope to meet your expectations in future. In case you require any further details, you may contact us or our industrial relations team of SGA, and also to us sometimes. We also take this opportunity of wishing you all a very happy and safe Diwali in advance. Thank you.

Moderator

Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen, on behalf of Antique Stock Broking, that concludes this conference call. Thank you for joining us. You may now disconnect your lines. Thank you.

R. V. Bubna
Chairman and Managing Director, Sharda Cropchem

Thank you very much. Thank you so much. Thank you, everybody.

Manish Mahawar
SVP of Institutional Equities, Antique Stock Broking

Thank you. Bye.

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